Meet the Writers

Our Writers:

Stephanie Angelyn Casola enjoys writing about the neighborhoods surrounding Left Bank at Kinzie Station and all Chicago’s vibrant downtown has to offer. She joined The Urbane Way in March 2010 as director of public relations and marketing. She’s a Michigan State graduate who majored in Journalism and worked as a reporter for 11 years before making the switch into the world of PR and social media marketing.

She’s spent more than a decade traipsing around metro Detroit covering everything from education to arts and entertainment. From her old stomping grounds at the Observer & Eccentric newspapers to freelance work for Metromix, Northwest Airlines WorldTraveler and Ambassador magazines and blogs like the late, great Detourmag.com, she uncovered the quirky and wonderful things always bubbling just under the surface around metro Detroit.

When the newspaper business began to shrink, she made the move to account executive and content manager at Publicity Works, a boutique firm in Royal Oak that represents fashion, restaurant and film industry clientele.

When she’s not writing or tweeting, Stephanie loves old black & white movies, too much music to name, spending Saturdays at Eastern Market, her cat – Boo Radley, traveling whenever possible and cupcakes. Connect with Stephanie on Twitter or Facebook. Send suggestions to her at stephanie@theurbaneway.com.

Seth Blumenthal is one of the longest standing residents of Left Bank Apartments, having moved in the first day the top half of the building opened in February 2007.  Seth has lived in Chicagoland  since 1992.  Seth is an Engineering Manager at GE Healthcare in Barrington, IL.

Seth can often be found browsing for goodies at used record stores throughout the city.  He also loves exploring different neighborhoods through dining at local and ethnic restaurants.  He was an active private pilot for nearly 10 years and is also a member of the Chicagoland chapter of the BMW CCA.  Additionally Seth is currently completing his MBA at the University of Chicago.

Erica Finley joined The Urbane Way in August 2010 as a senior journalist. A Western Michigan University graduate, she worked for five years as a reporter and copy editor before transitioning to public relations and social media marketing. In her new role, she’s eager to marry her experience as a professional writer with her ability to connect people and build community around common interests.

Finley’s professional experience includes roles at prominent Michigan publications such as the Kalamazoo Gazette, the Battle Creek Enquirer and the Michigan Business Review, in which she covered everything from local events to technology to the economy.

As an account executive for an advertising and digital communications agency in Bloomfield Hills, Finley developed social web campaigns for clients in the quick service and financial industries, garnering coverage in publications such as the Grand Rapids Press, the Kalamazoo Gazette and several blogs. Her work in public relations includes a variety of industries, including nonprofit and start-ups.

Finley has served as a guest lecturer at the university level in the context of using social media in a job search, and in the fields of journalism and public relations. In addition, she is the founder of metro Detroit’s first-ever Dog-Up (#dogup), an event that brought together more than 60 people and 75 dogs, raising more than $500 for a local animal rescue.

When she’s not writing or tweeting, Finley enjoys hanging out with her English bulldog, Mona, going to the movies, and spending time near the water whenever possible.

Monica Kurpinski – ”A little about me; I was born October 8, 1982 in West Palm Beach Florida. I was raised with a Colombian and Polish background which probably accounts for my diverse, outgoing personality. I have had a wonderful life journey so far with no regrets, and feel I have accomplished many things to be proud of. To name a few, I am a former Dance Competitor, the spokesperson for the United States Navy, a Figure Competitor, and have been featured in a few magazines here and there.

“I graduated from Oakland University in Communications (conc. In advertising/broadcast), and believe my career history really kicked off as a personal trainer, where I have been given the opportunity to shape and change not only people’s health and figure, but their overall way of living. It’s a very powerful and rewarding thing let me tell you! I have always kept the fitness aspect in my life somehow, and then entered into the magazine industry (Clear/Ambassador) where I honed my craft for sales in Advertising, which then led to me heading up the Marketing and Events Department.

“All of these opportunities in one way or another have in common helping both individuals, groups, or businesses altogether, and that to me that is what I love about getting up every day and doing my work. So here I am now working with the lovely people at Left Bank Life, and excited to launch our new endeavors. Feel free to jump on -board and get to know your neighbors!”

Naomi Cremen was born and raised in Oklahoma until 10 years ago when the beaches, sun and the people of Florida lured her in – from there she began working in the property management industry. She went from leasing consultant to leasing manager and loved doing it. “It’s a fast paced and fun environment to be apart of,” said Naomi. Recently married in 2009 she and her husband decided that a move to Michigan was in order to be closer to family.

Along the way she discovered a passion for design and is now studying Interior Design at the International Academy in Troy, Mich. “In this field I hope to space plan for either residential or commercial buildings and would really love to contribute to the redevelopment of Detroit,” she said. “Along with that passion, I love my huge family, my husband, architecture, green design, discovering cool buildings, the outdoors and all of the arts. Overall I have a huge passion for life and everything I’ve been given. Life is an amazing journey, don’t sweat the small stuff.”

Brian Ambrozy joined the Urbane Way in October of 2010. Having served several years in the media trenches as Editor-in-Chief of tech and gaming lifestyle blog Icrontic, he came prepped with knowledge on how to connect people and brands in unique, fun, and creative ways. He considers himself the “Curator of Delightful Experiences” and takes a great amount of pride in finding and sharing little pieces of happiness in the world.